U.S. patent number 6,718,685 [Application Number 10/141,257] was granted by the patent office on 2004-04-13 for insect trap apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CPD Associates, Inc.. Invention is credited to Martin C. Bossler.
United States Patent |
6,718,685 |
Bossler |
April 13, 2004 |
Insect trap apparatus
Abstract
An insect trap apparatus includes a trap housing having at least
one inlet and at least one outlet. A source of suction is located
within the housing and is in fluid communication with the inlet for
drawing insects through the inlet. Carbon dioxide gas is disposed
in the housing and includes a combustion chamber with a chamber
outlet. An exhaust system is connected to the CO.sub.2 gas source
for directing a flow of CO.sub.2 from the gas source to the at
least one outlet. Insects are caught in a trap cup that is
connected to the housing and disposed between the inlet and the
source of suction.
Inventors: |
Bossler; Martin C. (Spring
Grove, IL) |
Assignee: |
CPD Associates, Inc.
(Winston-Salem, NC)
|
Family
ID: |
29399613 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/141,257 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
43/107; 43/113;
43/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M
1/02 (20130101); A01M 1/023 (20130101); A01M
1/06 (20130101); A01M 1/08 (20130101); A01M
5/08 (20130101); A01M 2200/012 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01M
1/02 (20060101); A01M 1/06 (20060101); A01M
1/08 (20060101); A01M 5/08 (20060101); A01M
1/00 (20060101); A01M 5/00 (20060101); A01M
001/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;43/107,113,139 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01-014128 |
|
Apr 1989 |
|
JP |
|
02-063679 |
|
May 1990 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 32, May 1994, pp.
348-350, "Biting Behaviour of Armigeres Subabaltus (Coquillett)
with Reference to Host Selection and Landing", S.D. Srinivas, R.
Selvaraj Pandian & S.K. Dwarakanath, Received Oct. 18, 1993.
.
Journal of American Mosquito Capitol Association, 11(1):6-10, 1995,
"Dependence of CO.sub.2 -Baited Suction Trap Captures on
Temperature Variations", D. Petric; M. Zgomba; M. Ludwig and N.
Becker. .
Anthony W.A. Brown, PhD, "The Attraction of Mosquitoes to Hosts, "
JAMA, Apr. 18, 1996, vol. 196, No. 3, p. 159. .
The Lancet, "Of Bites and Body Odour," Jay S. Keystone, vol. 347,
p. 1423, May 25, 1996. .
Flower & Garden Magazine, "Protecting Yourself from Pests in
the Garden," Jesse Eisenstein, Mar.-Apr. 1997, v41, n2, p. 14(1).
.
http://www.nomorebites.com/faq.html, "Bug FAQ's Most People Don't
Know,"ppgs. 1-12, Jun. 11, 2001. .
D.G. Peterson and A. W. A. Brown, "Studies of the Responses of the
Female Aedes Mosquito, Part III. The Response of the Aedes aegypti
(L.) to a Warm Body and its Radiation," Biting Insect Technology,
pp. 535-541 (1951). .
R.R. Carestia and L.B. Savage, "Effectiveness of Carbon Dioxide as
a Mosquito Attractant in the CDC Miniature Light Trap," J. American
Mosquito Control Assn., vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 90-92 (Mar. 1967).
.
M.W. Service, "Mosquito Ecology Field Sampling Methods," Ch. 5,
"Sampling Adults by Animal Bait Catches and by Animal-Baited
Traps," pp. 349-498 (2.sup.nd Ed. 1995). .
M.W. Service, "Mosquito Ecology Field Sampling Methods," Ch. 6,
Sampling Adults with Carbon Dioxide Traps, Light Traps, Visual
Attraction Traps and Sound Traps, pp. 499-610 (2.sup.nd Ed. 1995).
.
T.G. Floore, A.H. Boike, Jr., C.B. Rathburn, Jr., L.A. Sizemore and
K.L. King, "Mosquito Trapping Studies to Determine the Efficacy of
Two Models of the Flowtron.RTM. Mosquito Luring Device," J. Florida
Anti-Mosquito Association. Vol. 56, No. 1, pp. 13-17 (1985). .
"Setting the Standard in Dipteran Collection Equipment," American
Biophysics Corporation, pp. 1-16. .
Owner's Manual, BugVac.TM. Model 1101, "Electronic Insect Killer."
.
Daniel L. Kline, "Comparison of Two American Biophysics Mosquito
Traps: The Professional and a New Counterflow Geometry Trap," J.
American Mosquito Control Assn., vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 276-282
(1999). .
Douglas A. Burkett, Won J. Lee, Kwan W. Lee, Heung C. Kim, Hee I.
Lee, Jong S. Lee, E.H. Shin, Robert A. Wirtz, Hae W. Cho, David M.
Claborn, Russell E. Coleman, and Terry A. Klein, "Light, Carbon
Dioxide, and Octenol-Baited Mosquito Trap and Host-Seeking Activity
Evaluations for Mosquitoes in a Malarious Area of the Republic of
Korea," J. American Mosquito Control Assn., vol. 17, No. 3, pp.
196-205 (2001)..
|
Primary Examiner: Jordan; Charles T.
Assistant Examiner: Hayes; Bret
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An insect trap apparatus, comprising: a trap housing having at
least one inlet and at least one outlet; a source of suction
located within said housing, and being in fluid communication with
said at least one inlet for drawing insects through said inlet; a
CO.sub.2 gas source disposed in said housing; an exhaust system
connected to said CO.sub.2 gas source for directing a flow of
CO.sub.2 from said gas source to said at least one outlet; and at
least one trap cup connected to said housing and disposed between
said inlet and said source of suction.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one trap cup is
constructed and arranged to at least partially define an insect
flow path between said inlet and said suction source.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one trap cup is
releasably connectable to said housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said housing has a lower end
defining an opening, and said trap cup is configured to at least
substantially close said opening.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet is configured for
defining a serpentine path for an inflow of insects into said trap
cup.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a suction outlet for
said source of suction disposed substantially opposite said trap
cup on said housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said trap cup is connected to a
lower end of said housing, and said suction outlet is located at an
upper end of said housing.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a shield for said
suction outlet.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said CO.sub.2 gas source is a
combustion chamber.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one inlet is
provided as a single opening and a pair of said outlets are
provided in laterally displaced orientation.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said outlets are vertically
displaced from said inlet.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said inlet is arcuate when
viewed from above.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes
receptacles in fluid communication with said at least one outlet
which are configured for receiving supplemental insect
attractant.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more exhaust
ducts and wherein said CO.sub.2 is directed to said outlet through
said exhaust ducts.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a base from which
said trap cup depends and upon which said CO.sub.2 source and said
source of suction are mounted.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said exhaust ducts are
integral with said base.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a trap cup cover
disposed between said base and said trap cup.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising receptacles in
fluid communication with said at least one outlet which are
configured for receiving supplemental insect attractant, said
receptacles being disposed in said trap cover.
19. An insect trap apparatus, comprising: a trap housing having at
least one inlet and at least one outlet; a source of suction
located within said housing, and being in fluid communication with
said at least one inlet for drawing insects through said inlet; a
trap cup attached to said housing; a suction outlet for said source
of suction disposed substantially opposite said trap cup on said
housing; a shield associated with said housing covering said
suction outlet; a CO.sub.2 gas source disposed in said housing; and
an exhaust system connected to said CO.sub.2 gas source for
directing a flow of CO.sub.2 from said gas source to said at least
one outlet.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said trap cup is disposed
between said inlet and said source of suction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an insect trap. More specifically, it
relates to a trap that uses suction to draw insects into the
trap.
Suction-type insect traps are well known in the art. A suction
source, such as a fan, is used to draw large amounts of air through
a trap, snaring any insects that are entrained in the air flow.
However, without an effective system for attracting insects to the
trap, only an unlucky few insects that happen to be within range of
the suction source will be caught by the trap. The prior art
teaches the use of heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide as insect
lures, as these are all present in the breath and sweat of
warm-blooded animals. Octanol is also known as a chemical insect
attractant. It is believed that the temperature of the exhaust
stream is important, and should be above ambient temperature but
not exceed 115.degree. F.
Effective prior art suction traps use a combination of suction,
heat, water vapor and chemical attractants to lure insects,
especially mosquitoes, to the trap. A suction inlet surrounds an
outlet stream containing the various attractants. Insects follow
the attractant plume to the trap, and are drawn into a long suction
tube that surrounds an exhaust tube. Once inside the trap, the
insects are caught in a net located under the combustion unit.
Exhaust from the combustion unit supplies the heat, carbon dioxide
and water vapor to the air, which is then exhausted from the unit
through the exhaust tube. A tiny cartridge inside the exhaust tube
holds supplemental chemical attractants.
Counter-current air flow of the exhaust within the intake air poses
several design problems. There is limited space over the length of
the counter flow to deposit and hold the insects. The trap area is
often located under the combustion engine. To empty the trap, or
check how full it is, the user must inconveniently open the housing
and move the engine platform aside. After emptying the trap, the
engine is returned to its original position and the housing closed
before normal operation is resumed.
An additional problem with the air flow arrangement in the known
trap is the limited number of locations on the device that
supplemental chemical attractants can be positioned. Attractants
are available in a number of different forms, sizes and strengths.
However, the limited amount of space within the exhaust tube limits
the user to the form or strength dictated by the size of the
chemical receptacle.
Counter-current flow is very efficient at transferring heat between
two streams, but this can also be a disadvantage at times. The
intake air is always at ambient temperature, while the exhaust
stream is always warmer than ambient, providing heat transfer from
the exhaust tube to the intake air. Because the heat content of the
two streams is interrelated, it may be more difficult to control
the exhaust temperature. For example, on a hot day, there may be
insufficient heat transfer from the exhaust to the intake stream to
cool the exhaust stream to below 115.degree. F.
The air flow pattern of the known design also makes it more costly
to manufacture due to the number of parts that have to be
separately molded and assembled. This means that many molds have to
be made, additional labor is needed to make and assemble the parts
and additional warehouse space is needed to store the additional
parts until the insect trap is assembled. If the engine is designed
to be moveable, additional parts are needed compared to a
stationary engine.
There is a need in the art for an effective insect trap that is
more convenient for the user, yet is reasonably priced. There is
also a need for an insect trap which addresses the air flow issues
discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The insect trap of the present invention has an improved air flow
pattern. Emptying insects from the unit is easy and convenient for
the user. Multiple sizes or types of chemical attractant can be
used in the unit, and are conveniently placed. Even with these
advantages, the present trap uses relatively few molded parts and
requires little assembly, resulting in a trap that is reasonably
priced.
More specifically, the present insect trap apparatus includes a
trap housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. A
source of suction is located within the housing and is in fluid
communication with the inlet for drawing insects through the inlet.
Carbon dioxide gas is disposed in the housing and includes a
combustion chamber with a chamber outlet. An exhaust system is
connected to the CO.sub.2 gas source for directing a flow of
CO.sub.2 from the gas source to the at least one outlet. Insects
are caught in a trap cup that is connected to the housing and
disposed between the inlet and the source of suction.
Air flow through this insect trap overcomes many of the
disadvantages of the prior art. Without the limitations of counter
flow between the intake air and the exhaust, the air flow can be
directed through areas of the trap so that insects can be trapped
where they are conveniently accessed by the user for disposal.
Versatility in air flow also allows receptacles for supplemental
attractants to be conveniently placed in areas where there is space
for multiple receptacles to accommodate a variety of attractant
sizes or types.
Without heat exchange between the intake air and the exhaust,
independent control of the two fluid streams makes it easier to
control the temperature of the exhaust gas outflow. Although the
temperatures of all of the fluid streams will vary with the
temperature of the ambient air, temperature is expected to be more
easily controlled where there are fewer opportunities to transfer
heat.
The structure of the present insect trap also makes it more
economical to manufacture. Conduits for fluid transfer are molded
into other structural elements, providing fewer parts that need to
be molded, stored and assembled. Less labor can be used since fewer
parts are made and assembled. The cost of making the molds is
reduced. Thus, the present insect trap can be more efficiently
made, resulting in savings to both the manufacturer and the
consumer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the insect trap
mounted to a cart;
FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the trap;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof with the cover removed;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof with the trap cup, trap cup
cover and screen removed;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 as viewed
from the direction generally indicated;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 4 as viewed
from the direction generally indicated; and
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the trap cup and trap cup
cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An insect trap, generally designated 10, is shown in FIG. 1.
Directional references to the trap or any parts thereof refer to
the trap as oriented in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, insects 12 are attracted by a trail of
exhaust gas 14 that exits the trap 10. As the insects 12 follow the
exhaust gas trail 14 back to its source, they approach a trap
housing 18 and are swept up into the trap by suction of an inlet
air stream 20. The air stream 20 enters the trap 10 at an inlet 22,
and passes through a trap cup 24 before exiting the trap through
one or more suction outlets or vents 26. Air supply 28 to a
CO.sub.2 gas source 30 (FIG. 3) is drawn in through the vents 26.
As it is emitted from the CO.sub.2 gas source 30, CO.sub.2 is
deposited into the air supply 28 to form the exhaust gas 14. The
exhaust gas 14 then passes through exhaust ducts 32 (FIG. 5) under
a base 34 to one or more outlets 36. As it flows from the outlet
36, the exhaust gas 14 forms the trail that attracts insects 12 to
the trap 10.
The trap housing 18 is made from any material suitable for use
outdoors. Plastic is a preferred housing 18 material, particularly
those plastic formulations that have above-average tolerance for
solar radiation. Other preferred characteristics of the housing
material are that it is lightweight so that the trap 10 is easily
moved, and that it is easily molded for ease of manufacture.
Stainless steel and other rust-resistant metals are also
useful.
The housing 18 includes at least the base 34, the trap cup 24, an
engine cover 40 and a shield 42. All parts are preferably molded
plastic and in the preferred embodiment, designed to require less
than about 8 molded parts. However, it is contemplated that the
number of housing parts may vary to suit the application. As is
known in the art, pieces of the housing 18 preferably fit together
with a snap fit or a friction fit and reduce the use of fasteners.
The base 34 is the main component of the housing 18 from the
perspective that the CO.sub.2 gas source 30 mounts to the base, and
the cover 40 and trap cup 24 are then fitted to the base. An
optional handle 44 is preferably molded into the base 34 to
simplify moving the trap 10.
Preferably, the base 34 also has a universal pole mount 46 for use
in mounting the trap 10 to a stand 50, which in the preferred
embodiment is a cart with a pole 52, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The
universal pole mount 46 is a square indentation in the bottom of
the base 34 designed to accept a round or square pole 52. One
embodiment of the stand 50 (FIG. 1) provides an area for a fuel
source 54 such as an LP tank, to rest below the trap 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the at least one inlet 22 in the
housing 18 provides for the inflow of the inlet air stream 20 and
insects. The inlet 22 is optionally formed as part of the cover 40.
In a preferred embodiment, there is one inlet 22 as shown in FIG.
4, however, a variety of suitable arrangements of inlets is
possible within the context of this invention. The inlet 22 is
sized and oriented to allow sufficient inlet air stream 20 to pull
insects 12 from the exhaust gas trail 14 into the trap 10. When
viewed from above, and when the trap 10 is oriented as in FIG. 1,
the inlet 22 is preferably arcuate in shape, like a visor. In this
shape, the inlet 22 can draw insects 12 from any of the one or more
outlets 36. The inlet 22 is sufficiently near the outlet 36 so that
insects 12 that follow the exhaust gas trail 14 are pulled into the
trap 10 by the suction at the inlet.
The one or more outlets 36 are configured and arranged to emit the
trail 14 of exhaust gases in such a manner to attract insects 12 to
the inlet 22. In one embodiment, the outlet 36 is molded as part of
the base 34, directing the exhaust 14 downwardly and parallel to
the housing 14 for the length of the outlet 36. The outlet 36 is
optionally lengthened by an outlet extension 56 on the trap cup 24.
Preferably the outlet 36 is of a shape that is moldable, but any
shape is suitable that permits flow of sufficient exhaust 14 to
attract insects 12. Best seen in FIG. 2, the outlet 36 is
downwardly vertically displaced from the inlet 22, and when
multiple outlets are used, they are placed in a laterally displaced
orientation from each other.
Referring to FIG. 5, at least one source of suction 60, such as a
first or suction fan, is located within the housing 18. The suction
fan 60 is in fluid communication with the one or more inlets 22,
and draws the inlet air stream 20 and entrained insects 12 through
the inlet. Preferably the suction fan 60 is located just above and
is mounted to the base 34, however, other mounting and positioning
arrangements are contemplated. Air is drawn from the trap cup 24
through a screen 62, creating a vacuum at the inlet 22. Upstream of
the suction fan 60, the air moves through a suction chamber 76
toward the shield 42. The shield 42 reduces the amount of rain that
enters the housing 18 and is mounted above and vertically displaced
from the housing by one or more standoffs 64 creating a number of
vents 26 at the top of the trap 10. The inlet air stream 20 leaves
the trap 10 through the vents 26. The exact arrangement of the
inlet 22 and the outlet 36 and their proximity to each other will
be determined by the amount of suction power of the fan 60 and the
aesthetic design of the trap housing 18. Preferably, the trap 10
also has a second or exhaust fan 66 (FIG. 6) to promote movement of
exhaust gas 14 through the outlet 36. The suction fan 60, the
exhaust fan 66 or both are optionally variable speed fans.
The trap 10 also includes the CO.sub.2 gas source 30 disposed in
the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the CO.sub.2
gas source 30 is a combustion chamber with a chamber outlet. Carbon
dioxide is generated from the combustion of fuel and oxygen in the
combustion chamber 30. When the fuel is efficiently burned, water
vapor, CO.sub.2 and heat are produced by combustion. These
combustion products are all known to attract insects 12 by
mimicking the warmth, sweat and breath of warm-blooded animals. The
combustion chamber 30 suitable for use outdoors is well known to an
artisan in this field. Fuel from a fuel source 54 (FIG. 1) and
oxygen from the air supply 28 are burned in the combustion chamber
30 to produce heat, carbon dioxide and water vapor. The preferred
fuel is propane gas, however, other fuels, including but not
limited to methane, butane or white gas can be used. In addition to
supplying combustion products for attracting insects 12, the
combustion chamber 30 of the preferred embodiment also supplies
heat to one or more thermoelectric modules (not shown). Exemplary
combustion chambers 30 are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,627,588 and
4,767,467, herein incorporated by reference. The thermoelectric
module provides electrical power for the fan, eliminating the need
for an external electric power source. Optionally, the unit has a
piezoelectric igniter to initiate combustion.
Use of the combustion chamber 30 with the thermoelectric modules is
a preferred embodiment for a unit that can be used in any outdoor
setting without regard to the availability of electricity. However,
it is contemplated that the air flow pattern of this invention is
useful in an insect trap 10 that is electrically powered or is a
hybrid unit. Hybrid traps generate carbon dioxide, steam and heat
in the combustion chamber 30, but other electrical devices, such as
fans and lights, are operated using supplied electrical current.
Electrically-operated traps use insect attractants that are
supplied or generated using electricity.
Referring now to FIG. 6, supply air 28 is drawn into an air supply
chamber 70 from the vents 26. As the supply air 28 passes the
combustion chamber 30, combustion products flow into the supply
air, creating the exhaust gas stream 14 from a mixture of the
supply air and the combustion products. The optional exhaust fan 66
is used to push the exhaust gas 14 through one or more trap
outlets. Although the combustion chamber 30 is a preferred CO.sub.2
gas source, this flow pattern is useful with any CO.sub.2 gas
source.
Turning to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, an exhaust system is connected to the
CO.sub.2 gas source for directing a flow of CO.sub.2 from the gas
source to the at least one outlet. The exhaust system includes the
air supply chamber 70 that carries supply air to the combustion
chamber 30 and one or more exhaust ducts 32 that carry the exhaust
gas 14 from the combustion chamber to the outlet 36. If more than
one outlet 36 is present, the exhaust gas 14 stream is divided and
a portion is directed to each of the outlets by the exhaust duct
32. Flow of the exhaust gas 14 is directed around an inlet opening
72 in the base 34 through which the inlet air stream 20 passes to
reach the trap cup 24. Preferably, the exhaust ducts 32 are molded
into the base 34 at the time of manufacture, however the use of
tubing or other exhaust ducts 32 is also contemplated.
Insects 12 entrained in the inlet air stream 20 are held in the
trap 10 in the trap cup 24, best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7. The trap
cup 24 is removably attached to the base 34 and disposed between
the inlet 22 and the suction fan 60. As mentioned above, the trap
cup 24 at least partially defines the flow path of the inlet air
stream 20. The inlet air stream 20 air follows a serpentine path,
flowing up the inlet 22, then turning downwardly through the inlet
opening 72 in the base 34 and into the trap cup 24. Air flows
through the length of the cup 24 before turning upwardly through a
suction opening 74 in the base 34, such flow being drawn by
rotation of the suction fan 60. The suction fan 60 then pushes the
air upwardly through the suction outlet chamber 76 before exiting
the apparatus 10, through the vents 26 between the shield 42 and
the cover 40. Without the trap cup 24 in place, there is no flow
path between the inlet opening 72 and the suction opening 74, and
the suction fan 60 would be ineffective. The trap cup 24 is
configured to provide a substantially closed flow path for the
suction air. Insects 12 entering the trap 24 with the inlet air
stream 20 follow the same serpentine path into the trap cup 24,
where the screen 62 traps them prior to entering the suction fan
60.
By attaching the trap cup 24 to the base 34 using a friction fit,
the cup is freely accessible from the outside of the trap 10,
without the need to remove the cover 40 to empty the unit of
insects 12. The screen 62 between the trap cup 24 and the suction
fan 60 holds the insects 12 in the cup for easy disposal.
Preferably, the trap cup 24 is held by a snap fit to the base 34,
and is easily attached and removed. A latch 80 molded to the base
34 fits a corresponding lock 82 on the trap cup 24. Pushing
inwardly on the latch 80 disengages it from the lock 82 for removal
of the trap cup 24, while inserting the latch until the lock
engages holds the cup securely in place.
In the preferred embodiment, the trap cup 24 has a trap cup cover
84 that functions as part of the air flow system when the exhaust
ducts 32 in the base 34 are molded as open channels. If the open
trap cup 24 were attached to the base 34 without the trap cup cover
84, the exhaust gas 14 would mix with the inlet air stream 20 in
the trap cup. The trap cup cover 84 acts to close the exhaust ducts
32 from the trap cup 24 and separate the exhaust gas 14 from the
fresh inlet air stream 20. Optionally, canals (not shown) in the
trap cup cover 84 add volume to the exhaust ducts 32. A cover inlet
86 to the trap cup cover 84 aligns with the inlet opening 72 in the
base 34 to permit the inlet air stream 20 to enter the trap cup 24.
Similarly, there is a cover outlet 90 that aligns with the suction
opening 74 through which the suction fan 60 draws air out of the
trap cup 24.
Still referring to FIG. 7, in addition to the CO.sub.2, heat and
water vapor generated by the combustion chamber 30, insect
attractants 92 are useful for attracting a larger number or variety
of insects 12. Any type of attractant 92 can be used, including but
not limited to light, color, heat and chemical attractants.
Chemical attractants 92 include octanol, citronella and the like.
In one embodiment, one or more receptacles 94 for supplemental
chemical insect attractants 92, such as octanol, are optionally
molded into the trap cup cover, the exhaust ducts 32 or another
portion of the housing 18 where a portion of the supplemental
attractant becomes part of the exhaust gas stream prior to leaving
the outlet. Chemical insect attractants 92 are available in a
number of forms, sizes and strengths. Preferably, the insect trap
10 has one or more of the receptacles 94 that are able to accept a
variety of attractants 92, such as slots or trays in the trap cup
cover 84. Depressed slots 94 in the trap cup cover 84 are a
convenient way of accommodating laminate-type attractants 92. A
recessed tray 95 is useful to hold liquid or gel-type chemical
attractants 92.
As seen in FIG. 2, another useful feature is the addition of a
scale 96 and an indicator 100 that move in relation to each other,
to be used as a reminder as to when the fuel needs to be replaced.
If propane is used as the fuel source 54, it is commonly supplied
in 20 lb. tanks. Since there is no gauge on the tank to show when
the fuel is low, it is convenient to have a device on the housing
18 to aid the user in judging when to replace the fuel source
54.
In one embodiment, the scale 96 is in the form of a series of
numerals from 1 to 31 located on a dial and the indicator 100 is a
marking on the surface of the housing 18. Based upon experience or
the manufacturer's recommendation, the user can estimate when the
fuel source 54 next needs to be replaced. The scale 96 can then be
turned so that the indicator 100 aligns with the numeral
representing the date upon which the fuel tank source 54 should be
changed. In the alternative, the indicator 100 can be used as a
reminder of the date on which the fuel source 54 was last changed.
The user need only look to the indicator 100 and scale 96 to be
able to determine when to change the fuel source 54.
In operation, insects 12 are attracted to the trap 10 by the path
of the exhaust gas 14 that includes several attractants, such as
heat, water vapor, CO.sub.2 and other attractants 92. As it follows
the trail 14 and approaches the trap 10, the insect 12 is swept up
into the inlet 22 with the inlet air steam 20 due to suction
created by a suction fan 60 within the housing 18. The suction fan
60 pulls air through the inlet 22 and along a serpentine route
through the inlet opening 72 in the base 34, through the trap cup
24, through the suction opening 74 in the base 34 to the suction
fan 60, then is blown out the suction outlet chamber 76 and exits
the apparatus through vents 26. Insects caught in the air stream 20
become trapped in the trap cup 24. Supply air is drawn in the vents
26 and down the air supply chamber 70 to the combustion chamber 30.
Oxygen-containing air is taken into the combustion chamber 30,
while combustion by-products, including CO.sub.2, water vapor and
heat, are discarded into the inlet air stream 20, creating the
exhaust gas 14. The exhaust gas 14 then travels through exhaust
ducts 32 to the outlets 36, where it exits to the surrounding air,
creating the exhaust gas trail 14.
While a particular embodiment of the present insect trap has been
shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *
References